"All right. So where are we now in history?" Bow asked.
"Hmm. After Alabasta, Robin will join the crew as they head to Jaya. Then after that, they fight Bellamy and head into Skypiea. After which, they fight Enel. Then they battle Aokiji before arriving at our next destination...Water Seven." Sci-Twi said.
"Aokiji? That's the admiral that uses Ice, right?" David asked.
"Yeah. He ate the Freeze-Freeze Fruit. He's a logia user that can turn into and use ice. He's a big follower of what he calls Lazy Justice." Jexi said.
"I guess even the higher-ups have their own conflicting views of the topic." David said.
"Yeah. In fact, when choosing a fleet admiral, Aokiji and Akainu actually fought a battle that lasted for days in order to pick the position." Sci-Twi said.
"Hmm… I see." David said.
"However, unwilling to accept Akainu as his superior, Aokiji resigned." Cheetah said.
"And with good reason too…" David said.
"Still, Water Seven… that place holds some pretty emotional memories." Hope said.
"First, they arrived there to have their ship repaired." Dan said. "But…"
"The ship was ruled to never be able to sail again because of damage to the keel." Erza said.
"Oh yeah… Usopp told me about that back when we were trying to stop Sanji's wedding. Luffy was reluctant to accept the situation, but Usopp wasn't willing to accept it at all. And the two were forced to fight." David said. "I've seen it plenty of times back when I was in Tokyo while the show aired. Breaks my heart every time."
"Yeah...wait...isn't that him down there?" Sonia asked.
"Where?" Tails asked.
"Right in the city. He's chasing some weird guys down there." Sonia said.
"Why would...wait...of course. He's trying to get back the money for the repairs." Jexi said.
"Let's go help him. I don't want him doing this alone." Hope said.
However they arrived a little too late as Usopp was on the ground completely beaten up by the group who stole the money.
"I….couldn't...get...the...money." Usopp said weakly.
"Hmm…" Jexi said as they marched towards the building where the guys were.
"Hmm. Ah. You all gotta be friends with that long nosed guy. If you're as weak as he was, then you're going to be in for a world of hurt." one of them said.
"Well, then you're going to be disappointed on that notion." Sectonia said.
"Ha. They're just saying things to…" one of them said before being struck by Regal.
"Okay okay. It's the money you want right? We're sorry but it's not here." one of them said.
"The money isn't even the point anymore." Jexi said.
"It's way too late to talk at this point." Tokoyami said.
"So get ready...we'll be teaching you guys some manners." CP said as they went and beat every last one of them and destroyed their base.
"So...do we go looking for it?" Eddy asked.
"No point in doing it. If their boss wasn't here, it's more than likely the money's long spent by now." Lucy said.
"And that means there's no other option for Luffy and the others." Hope said. "They have to change ships."
"Usopp is not going to take this news well, that I know." David said.
Later in the day, at the Going Merry…
"I've decided, we're gonna change ships!" Luffy explained as everyone was together. "The Going Merry has been with us all the way, but it's time to leave it here."
"Oh, come on, that's crazy! What, are we short on money to repair her?" Usopp asked.
"No, it's not that." Luffy said.
"Then what is it? Why are you going on with all this crap about changing ships?" Usopp said.
"We can't repair the Going Merry anymore!" Luffy declared as Usopp fell to his knees.
"Look. Just because a bunch of so-called first-rate shipwrights said it couldn't be done... You want to leave our friend we've voyaged for so long with? You want to leave her to die?" Usopp said.
"And what makes you think you can decide? You're not a shipwright, Usopp!" Luffy replied.
"You know, Luffy, not everyone can live life like you, constantly looking towards the future. Me, I can't keep this voyage going! Not if I have to leave my wounded companion behind!" Usopp said.
"Thats enough!" Luffy said bringing Usopp to the ground. "You don't think this is difficult for me too?!"
"If it's not, then why is changing ships our only option?" Usopp said.
"All right! That's it! If you hate my decision that much, then you can just get-" Luffy said before Sanji kicked him off.
"Idiot. Don't go saying something you'll regret." Sanji said.
"Don't bother. I understand clearly now." Usopp said. "If that's the way things are, then I guess it's best we part ways."
Usopp then marched outside until nightfall when he returned. "Come on, fight me! If I win, I keep the Merry! Let's do this now, Monkey D. Luffy!" Usopp shouted.
"Guess there's no going back on this now." Adora said. "All we can do is watch."
"Yeah… even if we wanted to stop this, we couldn't. This is something that has to happen." Hope said as Luffy and Usopp faced each other, and then the battle between captain and former crewmate began.
"No regrets, no matter what happens! You wanted this fight!" Luffy shouted charging at Usopp as he went against his sharpshooting skills.
"Of course. Just try and kill me! You're gonna pay! I've got the perfect plan for beating you!" Usopp said. "Your previous foes didn't know about your powers, Luffy...But I know your skills inside and out! Perfectly! What's more, Luffy, I have 8,000 underlings on my side!"
"8,000?!" Chopper gawked. "He has that many?"
"Ugh. It's obvious he's lying." Mermista said.
"Ssh. Don't give it away. At least let him try to act tough." David whispered.
"It doesn't take a genius to see you're lying! Damn it! Stop screwing around with me here!" Luffy shouted.
"You think I'm screwing around? I'm dead serious, Luffy! This is the way I fight! Time for me to use my traps. Just attack and blammo." Usopp said, leading Luffy to a large barrel as Luffy hit it as several spiked balls fell out and onto the ground. "Better watch your step! Caltrop Hell!"
Usopp kept luffy on his feet with numerous tricks and traps.
"Take this!" Usopp said, hitting Luffy with a rotten egg before pressing a strange shell.
"What is he doing? And what is that bad scent?" Perfuma asked.
"Hmm. Good god. That's gas!" Roku said.
"What?" Luffy said.
"You couldn't smell it because of the rotten egg." Usopp said, tossing a bottle into the air before igniting it, causing a large explosion.
"Whoa! I never knew Usopp could fight like this!" Bow gaped.
The fight pressed on with increasing blows from each side until Luffy was blown back.
"That's it!" Luffy said leaping into the air. "Gum-Gum...Bazooka!" he called, slamming into Usopp with both hands, but Usopp blocked with something.
"I've got it now. Your impact!" Usopp said, showing a strange shell under his bandages.
"An Impact Dial!" Tails said.
"Now take this!" Usopp said as he pressed it against Luffy, unleashing the force he laid onto Usopp back at him with twice as much power. "How's that, you bastard?"
"Gum-Gum...Bullet!" Luffy shouted, landing the finishing blow on Usopp. "You idiot! There's no way! You could never beat me!" he said as he collected himself and headed back. "Do what you want with the Merry. We're getting a new ship... and we're pressing forward to new seas! See you, Usopp... It's been fun... up to now."
"This fight is so disheartening. I don't think I can ever get used to that. The day I do, is the day I die as a human being." David said.
"This was tough." Luffy said.
"You're the captain. Don't waver! If you're wavering on us, then who're we supposed to believe in? Let's give up the ship. It's not like we're going back on it." Zoro said.
"Why...why did they have to fight?" Madoka asked.
"In life, there are a lot of things that can't be avoided. Fighting with friends is one of them, unfortunately." Elementa said.
"..." David remained silent at the prospect.
"Dave… I know scenes like this always break your heart, but this is something that has to happen." Sachiko said.
"I know… It's just that I'm still thinking about Akainu. This may be more of a personal note, but…" David said, stopping for a moment. "On my father's side, my grandfather and my uncle both used to be in the military. I hope this little bit answers some questions about my strategic talent. But still, when you're in the military, it's basically a requirement to form bonds with the people you go through life-or-death situations with. When you're under fire and your ass is on the line, you naturally develop lifelong friendships, not animosity towards everyone around you."
"I see. That's why you settle things with your team that might become an issue later on right away, isn't it?" Hope asked.
"That's right. Otherwise, stuff like this will keep happening." David said.
"Trust me. We've been through this before. If you thought this was bad, things are going to get a whole lot worse." Jexi said.